Renault Opens Largest Non-European Design Centre in India

Renault India has opened a new design centre in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The centre is 1,500 square metres in size and was built with an investment of €1.5 million (about Rs 15 crore). It will help Renault design five new cars for the Indian market over the next two years. The Chennai centre will also support Renault’s global projects by creating designs for international markets. This shows India’s growing role in the global car industry.

The new Renault Design Centre India uses modern technology to support car design and innovation. It is now one of Renault’s largest design centres outside Europe. The company plans to use this space to create stylish and practical cars for customers in India and abroad. This move also helps make Chennai an important place for car design and development worldwide.

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Laurens van den Acker, Chief Design Officer, Renault Group, said: 'India is highly unique and locally driven. Having a dedicated design studio is essential to understanding its nuances, listening to its needs, and building from its strengths. The Renault Design Centre Chennai will focus on developing models and concepts tailored to the Indian market while contributing to Renault Group’s global projects. By leveraging local talents and insights, this centre will play a key role in shaping Renault’s future mobility solutions. Its strategic location - at the heart of RNTBCI’s excellence hub - also enables closer collaboration across functions and faster integration of design into our engineering and innovation processes.'

Renault is expected to bring back the Duster SUV to the Indian market in a new-generation avatar. Once a best-seller in India, the Duster helped Renault gain popularity before its decline and eventual discontinuation. The new model is already on sale in Europe under the Dacia brand.

Built on the CMF-B modular platform shared by Renault, Dacia, and Nissan, the new Duster features bold styling with Y-shaped LED DRLs, a chrome grille, roof rails, and squared wheel arches. Y-shaped LED tail-lamps and a sloped rear quarter glass add a modern touch, while maintaining the SUV’s rugged stance.

Globally, the Duster offers a 7-inch digital cluster, 10.1-inch infotainment with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Arkamys 3D sound system, rear AC vents, and power-adjustable front seats. These features cater to modern, tech-focused buyers seeking comfort and connectivity.

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At its new Chennai design centre, Renault also revealed the Rethink concept—an SUV-like model with external screens focused on digital mobility. Though not for production, it represents Renault’s vision of future design and innovation in India.

With new cars planned in India over the next two years, the Duster’s comeback will be crucial to Renault’s growth strategy. The brand aims to blend modern design, technology, and SUV practicality to re-establish itself in the Indian market.